TeenTober: A Teacher’s Toolkit for Promoting Reading Culture

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Mark Twain Autumn leaves begin to fall on the East Coast of the United States in October, and a hint of crispness fills the air—the perfect time to grab a cozy spot to read and celebrate the month-long, nationwide literacy … read more »

Effective Strategies for Supporting English Language Learners in Your Classroom

Rita Mae Brown’s quote demonstrates how learning a new language for English language learners (ELLs) is not just about communication but also about gaining insight into a new culture and way of life. Currently, ELLs are a growing population in U.S. public schools, with an average of 10 percent of students classified as ELLs nationwide … read more »

Happy 223rd Birthday, Library of Congress!

April 24th is the 223rd birthday of the Library of Congress! The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library and an agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government. It serves as the main research arm of the U.S. Congress, is recognized as the national library of the United States, and is the … read more »

Celebrate Citizen Science Month

Every month, the TeachersFirst Classroom Planning Calendar highlights events and observances, some of which help raise awareness of meaningful causes. A few highlights for April are Earth Day, National Poetry Month, and Financial Literacy Month. We can’t forget the shenanigans and tricks on April 1, but there’s no foolin’ that April is also Citizen Science Month, a … read more »